Self-locking terminal



P 1929- w. H. SC ZHRAMM 1,726,683

SELF LOCKING TERMINAL Filed Dec. 29, 1925 A TORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,726,683 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER H. SCHRAMM, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- Vanni.

SELF-LOCKING mnnmmm...

Application filed December 29, 1925. Serial No. 78,141.

My invention relates to terminal members and particularly to self-locking termmals.

Heretofore, it has been customary in connecting conductors to binding posts on fixed terminal to provide an eyelet to whlch the conductor is attached binding post with a nut. In some cases separate lock washers have been disposed between the eyelet and the nut for preventing loosening thereof. The eyelets have occasionally been crimped for confining the strands of a multistrand conductor.

An object of my invention is to provide in an integral member a combination termmal member embodying all the desirable features of the plain crimp washer, lock washer, and

terminal member, thereby reducing the number of loose parts.

Another object of my invention is to replace the washers and terminals now used by a single, simple terminal piece that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to apply.

Another object of my invention is to reduce the danger of short circuits by using a'small compact terminal member. I

My invention comprises a terminal of spring material, the washer being 'crimped and split to serve both as a crimp'washer and a lock washer.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal member constructed in accordance with my invention and shown loosely assembled on a threaded terminal stud;

Figs. 3, 4:, and 5 are top plan, side elevational and bottom plan views, respectively, of the terminal shown assembled with a terminal stud and a co'nductor.

One form of my invention is embodied in a terminal member as shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings. It is stamped from spring material and comprises a washer portion 1 having a slit 2, a crimped edge or flange 3 and an integral cable guard 4. A portion of the washer 1 adjacent the slit is bent out of the plane of the main portion to constitute a combined conductor-confining and nut-retaining lock washer.

In applying the terminal to a binding post of the t pe shown in Fig. 2 and 4 wherein threade post 6 is se ured to a supand to clamp this to the port=7 and locked in place by a nut 8, the wire 6, the terminal member is placed thereon as in Fig. 2 and secured by a nut 9 against nut 8 with the looped end 'of the conductor confined between the terminal member and the nut. When the parts are in the assembled relation shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the crimped edge or flange 3 serves to retain the wire or cable 5 and prevent it from spreading away from the stud 6. v

The guard at protects the end of the cable insulation 10 as shown and the slit edge 2 gouges into and grips the nut 9 and prevents it from loosening.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a simple, inexpensive one-piece terminal member serves to confine the strands of a conductor and at the same time serves as a lock washer for preventing the binding nut from becoming loose.

I do not wish to be limited to the specific form herein set forth as modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as indicated in the appended claims. 1

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a threaded bind ing post, a nut therefor, a conductor for the binding post adapted to be wound therearound, of a terminal member comprising a lock washer for gouging into the nut for locking it to the binding post, the lock washer having anintegral portion for engaging and positionin the conductor and a flange for confiningt e wound end of the conductor.

2. A conductor terminal for cooperation with a threaded terminal stud having a threaded nut and about which a conductor is looped, comprising a perforate nut-lock Washer made of sheet spring metal and having an off-set integral tooth for gouging into the inner side of the nut when the latter is tightened to compress the washer, and having a, marginal flange for surrounding the conductor loop for preventing it from being displaced from beneath the washer, the said washer also being provided with an integral laterally extending conductor receiving member for attaching the washer to the conductor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 19th day of December,

or cable 5 is wrapped. around the stud or post 

